Only one in 16 cars made in the UK is electric, according to new figures that cast doubt on the future of the industry ahead of an upcoming government ban on new gasoline and diesel cars.
Battery electric and hybrid vehicles – both fuel and battery powered – made up 19 percent of all cars made in the UK in May.
However, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures, those who relied solely on batteries made only one in 16 vehicles produced each month, even fewer than hybrids, which contributed to one in six.
Total automobile production rose 934 percent to nearly 55,000 vehicles in May as production lines picked up speed after Covid’s earlier closings.
The shortage of manufactured electric models comes despite the UK confirming earlier this year that it is banning all gasoline and diesel cars by 2030 and hybrids by 2035 as part of the government’s green industrial strategy.
“If the UK is to remain competitive, it must ensure that it has an attractive global policy framework for both vehicle production and the supply chain,” said Mike Hawes, CEO of SMMT.
“Accelerating emission-free automobile production is part of this package. So while every fifth model manufactured here this year is fueled alternatively, we have to drive investments in research and development, charging infrastructure and the market to ensure that we can meet society’s net-zero future requirements. “
Auto production remains more than 50 percent below pre-pandemic May 2019 levels as the recovery is dampened by challenges such as semiconductor shortages.
